UM Sustainability Snapshot
At the University of Maryland, students have outstanding opportunities through coursework, research, and community involvement to learn about and address sustainability challenges, be they related to energy, climate change, poverty, public health, or the economy. Researchers across campus are applying cutting edge technologies to environmental problems of all scales and are investigating solutions to society’s most vexing social and economic problems. Many staff and administrators are working hard to green their departments by reducing material consumption, increasing recycling rates, reducing energy use, and encouraging other responsible behaviors. Below are some brief highlights of sustainability efforts at the University of Maryland:
Leadership
- In Fall 2009, the University convened a new 16-member University Sustainability Council to advise the President, the Office of Sustainability, and the campus community about issues related to the integration of sustainability into campus operations.
- University President Dan Mote is a charter signatory of the American College and Universities Presidents’ Climate Commitment.
- The 2008 University Strategic Plan firmly establishes sustainability as part of the mission of the institution and sets the goal for the University to be "a national model for a Green University."
Climate
- The University of Maryland’s first Climate Action Plan was finalized in September 2009. The document includes over 40 strategies for how the campus will work toward carbon neutrality by 2050.
- In June 2008, the University released its first inventory of campus greenhouse gas emissions covering 2002-2007 emissions.
Curriculum
- The Chesapeake Project is a two-day workshop designed to help University of Maryland faculty integrate sustainability across all academic disciplines. Twenty-six faculty from diverse disciplines participated in the inaugural workshop in May 2009.
- Student Sustainability Advisors developed a lesson on sustainability and presented the lesson to 29 sections of the freshmen seminar class, UNIV100, during fall 2009.
Dining
- Bagasse and other biodegradable products have replaced polystyrene foam containers in Dining Services’ facilities.
- All pre- and post-consumer food waste in resident dining halls is composted.
Energy
- Implementation of a $20 million energy conservation project in 9 campus buildings began in mid-2009. The project is designed to save nearly $2 million a year in energy and reduce the CO2 emissions by over 4,200 tons per year.
- The University’s Combined Heat and Power Plant produces electricity, steam, and chilled water for the campus. The plant’s efficiency earned it an EPA Energy Star Award in 2003.
Green Buildings
- All new construction and major renovations must, at a minimum, meet the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-Silver green building standard of the U.S. Green Building Council.
- Knight Hall, currently under construction, will be the first LEED-rated building that is owned and operated by the University on the College Park campus.
Housekeeping
- All cleaning products used by Residential Facilities are Green Seal Certified.
- Facilities Management uses many Green Seal products in academic and administrative buildings.
Landscaping
- The entire campus is a certified Arboretum and Botanical Garden and is designated as a Tree Campus USA.
- The Golf Course is a certified Audubon International Wildlife Sanctuary.
Planning
- The Campus Master Plan includes guidelines to preserve the natural environment, reduce the number of cars on campus, reinforce the campus’ role as a good neighbor in the larger community, and enhance the campus with open spaces and vistas of green lawns and trees.
Re-Use, Recycling, and Waste
- The campus recycling rate increased from 17 percent in 2003 to 54 percent in 2008.
- Some campus departments (and all units within the Division of Student Affairs) have adopted sustainability guidelines that include minimum standards for purchasing recycled paper and other environmentally preferable activities.
Stormwater
- The first 10,000 gallon rain water cistern was installed on campus in the Washington Quad that uses a computer controlled drip irrigation system to water the Quad’s native landscaping.
- A green roof was installed on 6,000 square feet of Cumberland Hall in the summer of 2008.
Student Activism
- In October 2009, the University was named "America's Greenest Campus" by Climate Culture for having the largest number of campus community members register on the site and calculate their carbon footprint. Student organizers earned a $5,000 prize to support sustainability on campus.
- In April 2007, University students overwhelmingly voted in favor of increasing student fees by $12 per year in order to fund the purchase of clean, renewable energy. This fee went into effect in Fall semester 2009 at $4 per student per year and will increase by $2 per year up to the full $12.
Transportation
- Shuttle-UM ridership increased a little over 13 percent to top off at 2.35 million rides for FY 2008.
- The Department of Transportation Services offers "Green Permits" at a 20 percent discount to persons who commute to campus in cars that meet EPA’s Green Vehicle Standard.
Water Conservation
- Low-flow toilets, showers, and faucets are replacing older fixtures in University residence halls.
- The University’s Golf Course has introduced water conserving grass varieties, a move that has reduced water usage by 38 percent and save $30,000 each year.
- All of Dining Services’ dishwashing machines have been replaced with energy efficient steam heated equipment that uses 70 percent less water than the old machines.